Belize is famous for its beautiful beaches, pristine rainforests, ancient Maya ruins, and the hundreds of postcard-perfect tropical islands that dot the Belize Barrier Reef. But one of Belize’s best-kept secrets is its vivacious and increasingly popular music scene.
A mainland country in Central America with a distinctly Caribbean vibe, Belize is home to “brukdown” music, a Creole term that roughly translates as “broken down calypso.” Instead of the stately rhythms of classic songs like “Day-O”, brukdown has a more accelerated tempo, dance-friendly music that regularly keeps the clubs jumping until the small hours of the morning. Many local stations in Belize have made “Good Mawnin’ Belize” (see video below) the unofficial anthem of the country, played every morning to add a jolt of energy and fun into each morning.
Another genre that sprang up in the Garifuna villages and settlements in Belize is “punta” music (see video below). With roots in reggae, punta mashes together the entrancing laconic vibes of reggae with a heavy dose of African-style call and response singing. Punta (sometimes called “punta rock”) is instantly recognizable thanks to rhythm lines from handcrafted drums still made from hollowed logs, punctuated by the liberal use of maracas.
Belize’s Garifuna people are descended from a mix of indigenous Caribbean peoples and Africans. After leaving the British-controlled island of St. Vincent, the Garifuna people moved en masse to Belize in the 19th century to become one of Belize’s most iconic cultures.
Experience the Wonders of Belizean Music
The award-winning resort of Chabil Mar on the Placencia Peninsula is just a few minutes walk from the Garifuna village of Seine Bight where all of the above styles are practiced on a daily basis. Chabil Mar is also just a short driving distance from the Garifuna village of Hopkins and the cultural and musical capital of Belize, Dangriga.
November is a great month to visit Belize as the Garifuna people celebrate their arrival in the country on November 19, Garifuna Settlement Day, a national holiday where Garifuna music, food, and culture is the occasion for a huge street party.
With a beautiful tropical garden, one of the finest restaurants in Belize on-site, and lovely beachfront villas, Chabil Mar offers unparalleled luxury and comfort on the Placencia Peninsula.
